Chapters: THE OLD COUNTRY - homeland,Germans from Russia // GOING TO AMERICA - the decision to leave, leaving home, the voyage // PORTS OF ENTRY - Germans in colonial America, landing, finding a place to live, first impressions // A NEW LIFE - farming and homesteading, adventures in the west, artisans and laborers, factories and mines, women's work, the union movement // PUTTING DOWN ROOTS - communities, family, religion, schools, the world wars // PART OF AMERICA - German americans today, preserving the heritage, the Mair family // GERMAN AMERICAN TIMELINE
Summary
The German American Family Album traces the growth of that community from the first German to reach the New World in the year 1000 (his name was Tyrker and he was a companion of the Scandinavian seafarer Leif Eriksson) to the 7 million German Americans in this country today. In their own words--from diary entries, letters, interviews, and personal reflections--and with photographs and clippings culled from family archives and the press of the day, we learn of their life in the old country, of the decision to leave home, the often wretched trip to America, and the new life they found once they got here. Their three-centuries-long history of achievement in the United States is a moving and inspirational story. To see it and hear it through the eyes of the immigrant is an experience that makes history personal and immediate. [from Amazon.com]
Autograph album of Lizzie H. Shenk, Safe Harbor. Maroon velvet cover. The album includes poetry, messages, and signatures of friends and family.
Admin/Biographical History
Elizabeth Herr Shenk (1869-1934) married Leroy Frey Mayer (1868-1958). Their daughter Kathryn M. Mayer Lichty (1901-1972) and her husband Charles Fouse Lichty (1899-1983) moved to Howell County, Missouri between 1940 and 1950.
Autograph Album Collection (MG0118) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/50c0771f-6469-4d22-b49b-952840687660
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Series #, Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please request at the Reference Desk or contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
2022.012
Other Numbers
MG-118
Classification
MG0118
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
This album was part of a donation to the State Historical Society of Missouri; the items in the donation had no provenance.
Portrait/photo of William Wohlsen that has been color-tinted with chalk: light brown hair, blue eyes, light skin and pink lips. He is wearing a charcoal-colored vest and jacket; a black bow tied and light-colored shirt. Background in sepia tones. A narrow white mat borders the entire piece.
In pencil handwriting on brown paper covering on back: "William Wohlsen 1847-1912/ Photographed July 4, 1899/ by Otto E. Weber/ 106 N. Queen St./ Lancaster, Pa.
Practical Photographer."
Provenance
William Wohlsen started a planing mill after arrival from Germany. Brought brothers and sister over as well as parents. Children of Anna Dorothy Wohlsen and Henry Conrad Behrens were Dorothy, Esther and William and Henry Theodore Behrens.
Painting: Framed under glass, charcoal enhanced photograph, laid down on cotton stretcher, Poor/Fair condition, water stained throughout, surface loss at corners, insect damage.
Painting conservation needs: Remove from frame, surface clean, reback with acid free materials, refit with spacer using UVF glass.
Frame: Poor/Fair, compo. loss throughout, 3" ornate gold.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
